I Thot You Was a Toad's manga / #Ogeretsu Tanaka(10)

Realistic character-centric story with beautiful drawings about a high school boy with strong morals who hates liars, and the former delinquent who tries to reform his personality to suit him. The first chapter reads like a oneshot, but it's ongoing.

Ogeretsu Tanaka is becoming one of my favourite mangakas for her beautiful artwork and character-centered stories. Here, the main character is toxic — bitter about his time in high school, and particularly, toward Natsuo, a 'hoodlum' who seemed to thrive on tormenting him — and his unfortunate target is ... Natsuo, a simplistic and inept young man with few social graces. It's brilliant set-up: make Natsuo fall in love with him, and then dump him in the most humiliating manner possible. Except he doesn't count on Natsuo being quite loveable in his own inept and dorky fashion. (2) The second story is a spin-off of Sabita Yoru Demo Koi wa Sasayaku, Ogeretsu Tanaka's amazing manga about partner abuse, and what happened to Ken, the abuser, after his relationship was over. At times awkward and fumbling, other times adept and hot as hell, this story is a believable testament to vulnerability and the healing power of love.

A serious manga about partner abuse. Yumi's boyfriend beats him, demeans him and tries to isolate him from others by controlling when he leaves and returns to their apartment. Yumi tells himself that there isn't anything this man could do to him that would actually hurt, but when Mayama, a friend from school who never called or texted him in spite of his obvious attraction, suddenly shows up at Yumi's workplace and appears to have kept a flame burning for him, will this change?

Ogeretsu Tanaka's gorgeous drawings center around the good time party boy, Ryou, and his childhood friend, Kouji, who takes their random sex romps seriously, making love with all his heart. Is this enough to break through Ryou's frivolity?

Mayu and Rina are cross-dressers by night, but ordinary schoolboys, Iishima and Amikawa, during the day.

Ogata, the stoic bouncer at a flashy danceclub, develops a fascination for Saya, a patron of his club, who always seems to pick up girls without doing anything to them. So far so easy and real, usual Ogeretsu Tanaka. But wait for Chapter Three where plot complications come with a vengeance.

Spin-Off sequel to Sabita Yoru Demo Koi wa Sasayaku and the fourth chapter of Renai-Rubi no Tadashii Furikata, this manga follows the story of Hayashida Ken, Yumi's abusive ex-boyfriend, and Shuuna Ayuma, his new lover and colleague at work. Flashes and hints of Hayashida's past come out during sex, but Shuuna mistakenly assumes it has to do with his inexperience as a gay lover and, before he can uncover the truth, he learns that he is being transferred to a different city.

A reunion at college after a year of separation for Naoto and Taichi, 2 ex-boyfriends who split in high school because Taichi made the mistake of calling their relationship a sex friend arrangement. The problem lies more with Taichi's crappy communication skills than the actual chemistry and connection between them. Naoto was understandably offended, but when his inhibitions are loosened by liquor, his real feelings shine. So now the boys have to conquer this gap between what they feel and how they express it. Another meaty, satisfying read from Ogeretsu Tanaka with realistic relationship problems, terrific sex scenes and a fine conflict primed for unorthodox resolutions. This continues into Volume 2 when an existential dilemma paralyses Taichi just as a newcomer starts moving in on Nao.

This story is pure camp dramedy. It needs a Bow-chikka-bow-chikka soundtrack and some Dr. Evil & Cronies evul!cackling foley work mixed in. Someone must've slipped some LSD into the water supply.

Idiot couple get some added good fortune from a bozu doll.